Women choosing not to drive anymore...

[LakesDad]

Is this the new normal? I seem to know quite a few women who have passed their driving tests and got cars but simply decide not to drive or if they do then certainly never on a Motorway.
Two are sisters of mine, and one of my sons has a new girlfriend who passed her test first time, owns a car but refuses to drive and relies on family members to ferry her to work etc (she works as a dentist).
All these women I know are competent, have professional jobs etc and quite confident personalities but when it comes to driving feel it is too 'stressful' and one says they don't want to hurt anyone...(none of them have crashed or hurt anyone by the way).
On the whole most blokes I know including me, love driving and are always happy to do so (thankfully my wife loves driving and is very independent) but never driving, especially when you live in a rural location has lots of unwanted knock on effects especially when local public transport is crap.
Is this a new trend in women or is my experience more of a one off?...

Not heard of this, no

Not happening in my social circle. Seems very counter productive.

Not if around my way is anything to go by. Girl racers!

Not happening where I live

Nope, not a thing afaik.

I’m terrified of driving in the motorway due to two awful experiences I had when I first passed my test years ago. I hate that I’m like this but I am so it is what it is. I know lots of other women (and one man) equally terrified of driving on them. Other driving is fine.

I don't know any women like that although I'm sure there are some. And there will be some men too, obviously.

Some people are anxious and avoidant. Some of those people will be women and some will be men.

Same as some people will get their licence and be reckless and think they're formula one racers.

I don't think your sample size is big enough for you to make any claims about women being like anything though.

No. Not around here.

I hate driving.

Men see a woman on her own in a small car and bully her. I hate driving at night, because people beep and harass you for driving to the speed limit

I'd rather give up breathing than driving!

I’ve never heard of this. I drive myself, always have, always will!

I have a cousin and a friend who won't drive on the motorway, and will always prefer if the husband drives, unless they're on the way back from a night out and their husband's had a drink.

I drive, and I'm single so it's only me that drives me around these days. When I had a partner we took turns on long trips - he liked driving but although I'm a pretty capable driver I don't enjoy it and find it boring.

Two of my friends have recently done this. Both early 60s and say it’s just too stressful. They are happy to be dependent on their partners and don’t see a problem with this. I am surprised at their decision to say the least.

Er, no? I know a few Londoners who can drive but rarely do, because public transport is easier and cheaper, but no one in the countryside.

Is this more to do with some people opting out of 'stressful' situations in general, or feeling more able to say, 'No, I don't want to do that, it makes me feel anxious' these days?

Not aware of this unless stopping altogether or night driving for health or eyesight reasons (same for men).

I have a number of friends moving out of London who are having to have refresher lessons or learn later on.

I’m late 30s and I’ve never learned, I’m terrified and I’m sure I’d kill someone. There are way more cars on the road now and drivers seem so impatient and angry all the time. It’s so intimidating.

I do know a few women like this. A mum who passed her test when she was maybe late 30s and will not drive anywhere outside our quiet suburb. My own mum passed her test in her 40s (almost 40 years ago) and has never driven on a motorway despite ample opportunity to do so. My niece has had multiple lessons but isn't interested in taking her test because her boyfriend can just take her places.

I don't have any male relatives/friends who are like this, I don't think it's a new thing though as my mum has been motorway-refusing for 40 years. After she passed her test she used to also plan convoluted routes to avoid turning right across the traffic...

I detest driving on anything other than dry, overcast days, being blinded by the sun or blinded by headlights bright enough to be seen from space is not my idea of fun.
I’d happily not drive due to the sheer amount of dangerous drivers around.
I was waiting at traffic lights at a major junction / accident blackspot, alongside a police car - 4 cars came through on red, our side was already green and the police did fuck all.

I think that many people are more anxious and avoidant, in general, since Covid.

My SIL passed her test late thirties, but only drives to the local supermarket once a week. She won’t park in streets, drive on motorways, she’s been getting lifts and cabs for years and has pretty much just carried on. She is too anxious to drive anywhere else.

I passed my test years ago but hate driving and will avoid it if I can.

I'm not a great passenger either tbh. I don't trust other humans on the road not to kill me!

I'm 58 and definitely driving less than I used to. Ten years ago I'd think nothing of driving 5-6 hours up the motorway to friends for the weekend. Now I do a weekly 70 mile round trip to a course I'm doing and it makes me very anxious.
I don't WANT to be someone who is scared/ stops driving but I am having to push myself to do it!
Why? Numerous reasons:

• still nervous after a time a couple of years back when my car twice cut out/went into 'limp mode' on me when I was in fast traffic on the motorway! It was terrifying to lose power. Thankfully I was OK.
• I find other drivers increasingly aggressive, and yes, this is mostly men who think nothing of shouting obscenities or harrassing you (too close/ beeping) if they don't like the fact that you're a woman driving at the speed limit, or won't let them in when they try to push onto a slip road turn off
• I find other drivers seem more unsafe than they used to be. People just don't seem to know the basic rules of the road e.g. signaling, priorities, motorway lane use etc. I suspect a lot of people on the roads do not have licences/have never learnt properly.
• I feel unsafe at night due to the way in which the new ultra bright car headlights constantly dazzle you.
• I also live in one of the highest density/busiest part of the country and have to go on the motorway to get anywhere. It's always packed and unpredictable.

The only person I know who passed their test but doesn't drive is my nephew. His wife does the driving.

Not me. As long as I've got sat nav I'm happy to drive on any kind of road, and at night. I'd draw the line at driving abroad, though!

I first realised I had an issue post partum when I had the sudden overwhelming urge to drive into a stationary object at high speed with baby dc1 in the car. I managed to stop but it terrified me. As did the fact that the psychiatrist I ended up in front of didn't see it as a problem.

I haven't really driven since because no one can guarantee it won't happen again.

I hate night driving and avoid it as much as possible. I have astigmatism in both eyes and the flare lines coming off bright lights just makes night driving so effing exhausting. Not helped by super bright LED headlights . And twats who don't dip their headlights Will drive short distances locally at night, but avoid anything longer than half an hour where possible.